Automobile-lock.



G. B. REED.

' AUTOMOBILE LOCK.,

APPLICATlON man MAR. 9. 1911.

Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

' cation.

f FFEQE.

GEORGEB. REED, OFPHILADELPHIA, rnnnsrtvenre.

AUTOMOBILE-LOCK.

To all whom it may concern:

citizen, of the United States, residing in' Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automobile- Locks, of which the following is a specifi- It is the object of my invention to provide a lock attachment for the steering column of an automobile or other vehicle to prevent unauthorized use of the vehicle, or for other purpose, which look shall be of simple con struction, durable, and reliable in use.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a lock attachment of the kind described, which it will be impossible to remove without disassembling the parts of the steering column. A further object of my invention 18 to provide a lock attachment of the kind described which shall not be damaged by an attempt to operate the steering wheel when the-steering post is locked.

To these ends I provide a lock attachment of the characteristics herein described.

For an illustration of one of the forms my invention may take, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevatronal view of the upper portion of a steering column provided with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view, on .enlar ed scale, of the steering column and attacfied lock, showing the parts in locked position.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view similar to that of Fig. 2, but with the parts in unlocked position.

the steering column and attached lock taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional'view, on enlarged scale, of the lock taken on the line5 of Fig. 2, as viewedin the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional View, on

' enlarged scale, of a modified form of my lock attachment. I Fi 7 is a. crosssectlonal view taken on to. the outer .or stationary post S of the steerin column of an automobile or other vehic e,-pr eferably immediately below Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of Specification of Letters Patent. Patented @et. 30, 1917.-

Application filed March 9, 1917. Serial NO. 153,703.

the steering wheel W, as shown in Fig. .1. The lock may, however, be attached to any portion of the post S. If the lock is tofibe attached to a steering column the outer post of which is free to turn, it is only necessary to pin the post to that part of the automobile body into which or through which the post passes to render the same stationary.

The lock comprises a body portion B, preferably cylindrical in form, and preferaninner flanged end F of proper shape to conform to that of the inner wall of the outer stationary post S of the steering column and to leave a small clearance space between the flange and the movable steering post 1?, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4:. If there is not sufficient space for theflange between the outer and inner posts, the outer post may be recessed to receive the flange.

' The body B of the lock attachment protrudes through an opening provided in the outer or stationary post S of the steering column, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4:,

ably'of case hardened forged steel, having and the flange F is riveted or otherwise fixed to the post S. Rivets r are preferably or screws or equivalent fastening means may be used, or the flange may be welded to the post.

The right hand portion of the body of-the lock-as viewed in Fig. 2 is bored or otherwise-recessed to receive the barrel Z of a lock of any known type, such as a tumbler lock. Also, within this recess is a spiral spring .9, one end of which engages in a recess in the body B at'the point designated at 0., and the other end of which is fast to the bolt 6 at d.

The lock attachment body B is further provided with a longitudinal eccentric boring to receive the bolt 6. The outer or right hand end of the bolt 6 is held rigidly in the barrel Z of the look when theparts are in the locked position, but may be rotated therein, but not removed therefrom, by means of the removable key is. The belt?) carries a lug g, Figs. 2 and 5, the outer end of which works in a channel a inthe body B. This channel 0 will be seen to have four parts, two of which are parallel to the bolt channel, and two of which lie circumferentially thereof. lo remove the bolt, 6 from the lockedposition shown in Figs. 2 and 5 to the unlocked position shown in Fig. 3, it is necessary for the bolt first to receive a quarter turn in a clockwise direction, as

traverse the inner circumferential section.

' of the channel (3 and to reach the intermediate longitudinal section, which permits the bolt to move to the right, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, a sufiicient distance for its removal from the opening 0 in the post F.

lf it is desired to entirely remove the barrel Z of the lock, together with the belt I), from the casing or body of the lock attachment, a further quarter turn of the bolt in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 will cause the lug to reach the outer longitudinal section of the channel 0, which communicates with the outer recess, which contains the lock barrel.

lVhcn the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, thc spring 8 is compressed and is also under stress ina direction such that it tends to rotate the bolt Z) in a counterclock wise direction as viewed in Fig. 5, which holds the pin firmly against the innermost end of the channel 0.

The modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is similar to that already described, the difference being inthe provision of a belt I) which is bored or otherwise recessed to re ceive the member 7a, which enters the lock barrel Z and is rotatable therein in the same manner as the bolt itself in the modifica,

tion of Figs. 2 to 5; Relative longitudinal movement between the bolt and the member 71) is prevented by the'pin g" which also performs the function of the lug g of Figs. This pin is preferably held tightly in an opening it in the bolt 5, the lower end extending into a slot t, Fig. 7, in the member In of such length that the member is may be rotated a quarter revolution or more in the bolt 5.

The operation of my locking attachment will be readily understood. from the above description. The operation of the modification of Figs. 2 to 5 will first be described. When the steering column is not in use, the parts are in the position shown in. Fig. 2 and locked, the key being removed. If it is desired to unlock the steering post to allow movement of the steering post, it"is only necessary to insert the key 7c in the lock and to give it a quarter turn in'the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5. This will'give the bolt b a quarter turn in the-same direction and willacause the lug g to traverse the innermost section of the channel and to reach the intermediate longitudinal section of this channel. The spring 8, being under compression, will new force the bolt and barrel to the right, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, and into the posi tion shown in Fig. 3. Further movement in this direction by the springs is prevented by the lug g, which has now reached the end of the intermediate section of the channel 0. The spring 8 continues to exert a torque upon messes the bolt Z) in a counterclockwise direction, so that the lug has no tendency to traverse the intermediate circumferential section of the channel 0. The steer ng post is now free to turn.

The lock Z of Figs. 2 to 5 may be of the type in which the key may now be emoved, the parts being in the position shown in Fig. 3. Or, if desired, the lock may be of the type in which the key may be inserted or removed only when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2. This has the advantage that the key is always in place in the lock ready for use, when the partsare in the unlocked position.

If, it is desired to inspect or clean the parts, the lock barrel Z and the bolt 1) may be removed from the body or casing B by turning the key another quarter revolution, the parts being in the position shown in Fig. 3. This will cause the lug g to traverse the intermediate circumferential section of the channel 0 and to reach the outermost longitudinal portion of this channel, which it will then traverse due to the action of the spring .9, which is still under compression. This enables the barrel Z, bolt 1) and spring 5 to be removed.

The parts may be locked, that is, chan ed from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that of Fig. 2, without the use of a key. By pushing the lock barrel Z. inwardly or to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, the movable parts will be forced toward the movable post P of the steering column until the end of the bolt 6 strikes the post. The steering wheel. is then turned until the bolt b enters the opening 0. It will be remembered that the spring a, in the position shown in Fig. 3, exerts a torque upon the bolt Z) in the counter-clockwise direction, as ,viewed in Fig. 5.

When the lug 9 reaches theinner.

circumferential section of thechannel 0, the

bolt Z) is free to turn and will do so due to the torque exerted by the spring 8. This motion will cease when thelug 9' reaches the innermost end of the channel 0.-

The operation of the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is the same as that already described, and, in addition, the lost motion connection between the bolt 6' and the memher it permits the use of a lock Z of the type in which the key may be inserted or removed in one position only of the lock barrel. With the )arts in the position shown in Figs. 6 and i, z'. 0., the locking position, the lock barrel is in a. position to receive the key. A. quarter turn of'the key will release the bolt, which will then take the unlocked position in the manner already descril'icd. The slot i will then permit the key to turn the member 7:," back to its original position, when the key may be removed. V

As in the modification first described, the attachment may be locked without. themes lessees of a key, it merely being necessary to push the lock member Z inwardly. v

In the locks of the prior art there are pros en: no adequate 111621115 so prevent unauthorized removal from the steering column. I provide structure by which the removal of the lock at zachment Without disassembling the perks of the steering column is positively prevented. Even if the rivets which hold the flange to the post are driven out, the lock detachment cannot be removed. For this veason screws cixother fastening means removable from the outside of the post may be employed in place of vivets. There is an absence of all projecting parts which could be easily injured or removed. My improved locl, even if struck severe blow, would not ordinarily be broken, but would merely be loosened by the failure of the rivets to hold the flange lot-he post.

ls will. be also that the bolt 5 has a. long bear ng in the body B of the lock attachmeh' (l; chat "she clearance space between the image F and the movable post P is shell, This prevents the bolt being broken 0X displaced with respect to the other parts ofshe lock etiachment by an attempt to tuirn'the steering wheel when the parts are locl'i icivedimensions of the parts, as

shape, may, of course, be modilied if dos d. it may, under certain conditions, iouud advantageous to materially increase she diameter of the body or to give it a frustoccnical shape with the smaller dismetei' at she outer end.

My izcv ion is not limised in its use to steel mg column of e vehicle, but may be employed WlTQDS -IQI' there is an outer tubular element in which is a second elecent, the iao beiug'desigued for rela'eive movement, is being desired lock the elements at limes against such movement.

ll; will be understood that many changes may be .iede in. the structure shown and described vi hout departing from the spirit i of my invention, as defined in the following claims.

Wha'l; l aim is:

'i l attachment for relaiively movable eleii'ieut-s, one of which is tubular and the other which is. designed for movement in said ifslflllil-F element, an opening in said tubular element, a body portion secured to said tubular element at said opening, a, recess in the-outer end of said body portion, a lock fitting said recess and longitudinally movable therein, a loiigiiudinal opening in said body poetion eccentric with said recess in the outer end of said body 1301l1l011,1'l)0ll3 movable longitudinal y in said longitudinal opening and i'cta'cably connected Withfsaid lQCI and adapied to engage the inner relatively movable element'which it is desired to lock.

able elements, one of which is tubules and the other of which is designed for move said tubular element, a body poi'iion at,

tached to said tubular element at said opening, a boltmovable in said body portion and adapted to engage the inner relaiively mov able element Which it is desired to lock, a re cess in the outer end of said body portion, a lock in said recess, said bolt Enblllfl said lock and being held Total-ably illQlGlil, a lug on said boltengaging in channel in said body portion, and a spring QXQ'ITLHEf; a force outwardly upon said lock and a torque upon said bolt.

In locking attachment for aucomohiles and the fixed posts and an inner movable postof a sbeei'mg column, of an opening in. saidiouiei" post, a body portion attached so said postat said opening, a boltlongitudiually movable in said body portion and adapted to engage and lock saidmovable post, means preventing longitudinal movement of said bolt in its locking position except after yet -chive movement, means preventing rotacive movement of saidbolt comprising a lock rigidly connected thereto and non-rotatably engaging. said body portion, and means for changing said rigid connection to one pecmii cing rotation of said bolt with respect to said lock, whereby the bolt and lock may be moved to unlocking position,

In a locking attachment for auiomobiles and the like, the combination with outer fixed post and an inner mo able pose steering colummof an opening in outer like the combination with an outer,

post, a body poiwion attached to fixed post at said opening, a bolt long movable in said body portion and to engage and lock said movable pose.

preventing longitudinal movement of? s21 bolt when in iis locking position exceptiotaiive movemenc thereof, means p ing rotative movement of said hole co ing a. lock rigidly coimeched ehereio and neorotatably engaging said body portion, a key for said lock for changing said rigid coilneci-iou to one permitting rotation of said bolt, whereby the bolt and lock may he moved to unlocking position, and motion connection between said lock and said bolh- 5. In a locking attachment for automobile and the like, the combination with a mbulai" member, of a. second member within tubular member and movable with respect thereto, said members spaced 12m each other, and means for locking said members in said tubular member to the exterior thereof, a flange integral With said body member dlsposed in the space between 'seid first named membeis, means 560111111? Siil'il flange to said tubular member independently of that part of said body member projecting outside of said tubular member, a bolt rotatable and movable longitudinally within said body member, and a key controlled lock controlling said bolt, said bolt and said .lock housed within said body member.

6. In a locking attachment for automobiles and the like, the combination with a tubular member, of a second member within said tubular member and movable with respect thereto, and means for locking said members against relative movement comprising a body member secured to said tubular member, a bolt rotatable and movable longitudinally in said body member, a key controlled lock controlling said bolt and movable 'longitudinally therewith, anda spring opposing rotation of said bolt when in looking position and opposing longitudinal movement of said bolt toward locking position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixe rzl by signature this 7" day of March, 191

GEORGE B. REED. 

